From La Verne to the Big Game
After being laid off from a job in food service, University of La Verne alumna Anita Ron refused to give up. With just $700 and three vacuum cleaners, she launched Briteworks, Inc., a janitorial company that today employs nearly 200 associates and serves clients like Disney, Coca-Cola, and affiliations with the Super Bowl. Her journey from uncertainty to success is a story every aspiring entrepreneur can learn from.
Finding Purpose Through Education
Ron’s path to entrepreneurship began long before she opened her business—it started at the University of La Verne, where she studied journalism. Though her degree wasn’t in business, the lessons she learned on campus became the backbone of her success.
My journalism training taught me how to research, communicate, and connect with people,” she said. “Those are the same skills every entrepreneur needs.
Her curiosity and ability to network translated directly into building relationships and growing a client base—skills she now urges students to develop early.
Starting From Scratch
The turning point came in 1996, when Ron was laid off from her job. Instead of looking for another paycheck, she built her own opportunity.
It was scary,” she recalled. “I had a six-year-old, a six-month-old, and a mortgage. But I told myself I wasn’t going to fail.
Drawing on family experience in janitorial work and the drive to support her family, Ron launched Briteworks from her home. She hustled day and night, relying on persistence, cold calls, and her network to land contracts. Within three years, she paid off an $80,000 line of credit and turned her passion into a sustainable company.
Leadership That Empowers
As her company grew, so did her leadership philosophy. Ron believes true success is built on collaboration, integrity, and humility.
I don’t want to be the smartest in the room,” she said. “I want everyone to have a voice.
Her employees now lead training sessions, volunteer in their communities, and even win awards for their service—proof that leadership multiplies when you lift others up.
Adapting and Leading Through Challenges
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Briteworks found itself at the center of the crisis—responsible for keeping workplaces clean and safe. Ron guided her team with calm focus, emphasizing health standards, employee safety, and client care. Her experience underscored a core truth of entrepreneurship: every challenge is also a chance to prove your mission matters.
A Message to Future Entrepreneurs
Today, Anita Ron mentors other business owners and serves on the University of La Verne College of Business Advisory Board. She often reminds students that success begins with confidence and community.
If you have an idea or a dream—don’t wait,” she said. “Start now. The resources are out there. You just need to take the first step.
Anita Ron’s journey—from a layoff with just $700 to leading a thriving company serving high-profile clients—is a testament to resilience, resourcefulness, and the power of taking initiative. Her story shows that entrepreneurship is less about having everything perfectly in place and more about starting, learning, and growing along the way. For students and aspiring business owners, Ron’s advice is clear: trust your skills, build your network, and take that first step.
For women, knock on the doors, be confident, know who you are, know your worth, and just go out there and let people know what you’re doing. The more you say it, the more you actually believe it. And soon, your network will start marketing you too.
To explore resources, programs, and guidance that can help turn your ideas into reality, visit the University of La Verne College of Business at business.laverne.edu and start your entrepreneurial journey today.
